Election of the German Wine Queen to take place

05/15/2020

The traditional election of the German Wine Queen will take place in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse again this year. The German Wine Institute (DWI), SWR and the city of Neustadt agreed on this in coordination with the representatives of Germany’s 13 wine-growing regions.

This year, however, due to the special circumstances caused by the corona crisis, there will not be candidates from all 13 wine-growing regions taking part in the election. The areas of Baden, Franken, Mittelrhein, Nahe and Saale-Unstrut will not participate because the incumbent regional wine queens will extend their term of office by one year. In Sachsen, the decision will be made in the next few days.

"We are pleased that the majority of regions have decided to send a candidate and participate in the election of the German Wine Queen, albeit in a slightly modified form. Otherwise, the German wine industry would have had to get by without its important ambassadors for a year, as the three reigning wine sovereigns had signaled early on that they were not available for another year in office,” explained DWI managing director Monika Reule.

Specialist questions instead of preliminary round

What is new this year is that all contestants are directly qualified for the final. Instead of a preliminary round, in which the jury selects six candidates for the final, as in previous years, there will be a round of specialist questions that both the jury and fans can follow via live stream on the Internet.

The final on September 25th will again be broadcast live by the SWR television from the Neustadter Saalbau. Under the proven moderation of Holger Wienpahl, the candidates have to demonstrate their wine knowledge and convince the jury with quick wit and charm. According to the current conditions, however, the program will probably have to take place without an enthusiastic audience due to the applicable hygiene guidelines. “This traditional friendly competition creates a very special atmosphere in the Neustadt hall. Even if fans of the candidates cannot be onsite this year, we as the broadcasting station, will ensure that they are connected from their respective regions. I am certain that, despite the restrictions, it will still be an exciting and atmospheric election for the German Wine Queen this year, ”explained Günther Dudek, Department Head of Land and People at SWR television in Mainz.

Since 1949, the sovereigns from the local wine-growing areas have been competing each year for the German wine crown. "As the traditional venue for the German Wine Queen Election, we are also available to support everyone involved in these difficult times," emphasizes Marc Weigel, Mayor of the City of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse.

The following winegrowing regions are definitely sending a candidate for this year's election of the 72nd German Wine Queen: